Penguin Coloring Sheet

So, yesterday, I brought in penguin cupcakes for my daughter's 2nd grade class because they've been working on a Penguin unit for the past few weeks. When they were done eating, their teacher said "what do we say" and they responded with "Thank you. Where's our coloring sheet?" Doh. Usually, when I bring in treats for them, I also include a coloring sheet. This time I spaced it. So, last night while at my other daughter's dance class, I got to work on a penguin coloring sheet. Handed her teacher 24 copies bright and early this morning. Whew. Disaster averted. :)

Feel free to download and color away!

Marla Frazee interview

As you probably know, I'm a huge Marla Frazee fan. She's so gifted. I found this interview that she did regarding her recent Caldecott Honor win "All the World."

Authors Revealed: Hear Marla Frazee talk about All The World

Simon & Schuster | MySpace Video

Illustration Friday - Clumsy

Madeline was walking tall on her can stilts! She could still hear her mom giving her grief about bringing them into the store... something about her being clumsy, and not a good idea. Whatever.

I want to add some color to this baby, so keep your eyes peeled. (Is it just me, or is that a kind of gross saying? Peeled eyes... yuck!). Anyway, I'll paint and post soon.

Flurry of sketches

I spent the afternoon painting with my youngest. She was so excited when I let her use "mommy's paints and paper." So, while she was painting away, I decided to paint these small pieces.

Blue-footed bobbies are one of her favorite birds. This one is rocking out to Lady Gaga.

Today is allowance day in our house. I'm guessing this guy is checking out how much he's saved up.

Is there a word for the painting equivalent of doodling?

Sketch Book Friday

I was waiting to pick up my youngest daughter from school, and decided to use my time wisely, so I brought along my sketch book.

I did some rough, ROUGH, sketches of the Fox and the Crow, and the Fox and the Grapes. Now, I am well aware of the multitude of mistakes in these sketches. But give me a break, I was in the car, waiting in the Kindergarten loop, I had no reference images of foxes or crows, and I only had a few minutes to work on them.

I wanted to post them all the same. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, they'll reappear in a more polished fashion. :)

Congratulations!!!

I am just so thrilled for Grace Lin and Matt Phelan!

Grace Lin won a 2010 Newbery Honor award for her fantastic book "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon." She is such a talented author/illustrator and she so deserves this award. YAY!!

Matt Phelan just recently won the Scott O'Dell award for his book "Storm in the Barn." Another amazingly talented author/illustrator! I've been telling everyone about this one!! Totally deserving of all awards he's receiving!

If you haven't read their books, drop what you're doing right now, run out and pick them up!! You won't be disappointed!!

Smells Like Crayons

Hey everyone! My Southern NH Illustrator's Group now has it's very own BLOG!! YAY!!! It's called "Smells Like Crayons" and my friends are amazingly talented! You've got to check it out! You're just in time for the introductions... so come on in and let's get acquainted...

Welcome William Chase

My cousin Natalie just had her baby on Jan 1st: a little boy named William Chase. (He's so adorable!) I made this to welcome him to the big wide world!

Dung Beetles are NOT disgusting (Renewal)

Listen here Mister Bird, you stay away! This dung ball is mine! I've rolled and rolled it for weeks, and I'm not about to let all that hard work go down the drain because some bird-brained ... well.... bird... wants to eat me. Don't you know, in Egypt, they WORSHIPPED me! Oh yeah, I was an ancient symbol of renewal! In fact, they associated me with their god Khepri - the god of the rising sun! Likenesses of me were made into amulets, and we were buried with the Pharaohs!

And speaking of burying, do you realize that by burying and consuming this dung ball, I'm improving nutrient recycling and soil structure. I also keep livestock safe from those vile flies by removing their favorite habitat. Do you know how many diseases they carry? Really, they're disgusting. So, instead of eating me, you should be thanking me!!